Gel candle in a flexible container

ABSTRACT

A gel candle in a flexible container with the container being made from aluminum foil with a corrugated side wall ending at its top end in a corrugated shoulder and an annular corrugated lip, and having a bottom wall with an annular concave groove therein. The container is filled with a candle gel having been liquified, then having fragrance and liquid dye incorporated therein before being poured into and solidified in the container; the latter being sufficiently flexible to allow the candle gel to be removed without damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1) Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to containerized gel candles and more particularly to such candles wherein the container has a flexible and expandible configuration.

[0003] 2) Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Containerized gel candles are well know in the art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Des. 411,891 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,329, and their use has proliferate extensively. These prior devices have a common undesirable characteristic in that the gel can only be utilized in the manufactured containerized configuration. This limitation on the configuration also limits the use of the gel, since to remove the gel from the prior art containers requires that the gel be disfigured or cut, or that the container be broken.

[0005] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a containerized gel candle wherein the gel can have a plurality of uses. It is another object of this invention to provide such a candle wherein the gel can be utilized in the container, either as a source of fuel for a wick or as a source of fragrance from the fragrant contained therein, or the gel can easily be removed from the container without damage thereto because of the container's flexible and expandible configuration and the flexibility of the gel itself

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to accomplish the objects of this invention, a light weight, flexible aluminum foil cup shaped container is prepared which has a corrugated external periphery which is shaped as a truncated cone having its larger end facing upwardly toward the opening of the cup. The enclosed base of the cup has an annular concave grove therein which not only serves to strengthen the cup when the gel is being placed therein, but also serves to increase the material available to be flexed at such time as the cup is flexed to facilitate removal of the gel therefrom. The gel is purchased in bulk from a supplier, placed in a suitable melting arrangement, melted, and then poured into a flexible cup of this invention where it cools and solidifies. The cup of gel is sold to the consumer in this condition, and as such can be supplied with a wick and burned as a candle, can be used in the cup itself as a source of aromathermatric fragrance (the shape and size of the cup is ideal to be used in the cup holder of a vehicle as a source of air freshener), or the gel, either in its whole or a cut up condition, can the be removed from the flexible container and placed in a container of potpourri as a source of fragrance, or can be placed in a heated substance dispenser such as a tea-light burner, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,400, as a source of fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a gel candle in a flexible container according to this invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the item shown in FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a top view of the item show in FIG. 1; and

[0010]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the item shown in FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A gel candle in a flexible container is shown generally at 10, and includes a flexible aluminum container 12 filled with a gel candle material 14. The container 12 is generally cup shaped and is made of a light weight flexible non-flammable material, such as aluminum foil, and has an overturned annular lip 16 carried by an annular shoulder 18 at the upper end of the container 12. Both the lip 16 and the shoulderl8 are formed with small vertically extending corrugations which contributes to the flexibility thereof. Depending from the shoulder 18 is the main body portion of the container, which has a vertically corrugated peripheral surface 20 formed as a truncated cone with its truncated apex directed downwardly, so that its upwardly directed end is open and larger than its lower end, and its downwardly facing lower end is closed by a bottom wall 22. The bottom wall 22, has an annular concave grove 24 formed therein slightly inwardly from the junction thereof with the surface 20, so that an annular strengthening shoulder 26 is formed therebetween. The shoulder 26 not only strengthens the bottom wall 22, but also adds to the material available for its flexibility when the cup is being deformed to allow removal of the gel. A cup 12 meeting these requirements is manufactured by the Handi-foil Corporation of 135 East Hintz Road, Wheeling Ill. 60090-6035. A preferred size of cup is referred to as a 4 ounce cup, which is stated as having a 7.3 cm dia. by 3.3 cm. This cup has the desired configuration to perform satisfactorily for this invention.

[0012] The gel candle material 14 can be obtained from various sources. One such preferred source is the Bitter Creek Candle Supply, Inc of Route 4, Box 184, Ashland, Wis. 54806 (http://candlesupply.com/), who can supply gels from Penreco, the latter selling a series of candle gels under the VERSAGEL (tm) brand name. The particular gel chosen for its characteristics to be used in the instant invention is a clear oil based candle gel (which is claimed to burn five times longer than wax) obtained from Bitter Creek under the designation “CMP Medium Densit”,as this product will hold the desired amount of fragrance. The gel melts at approximately 180-200 degrees, which is preferably done in a heat-controlled covered kettle, such as a “PRESTO KITCHEN KETTLE”, or a similar kettle of the “RIVAL” brand. Fragrance oils for use in the gel is also obtainable from the same Bitter Creek Candle Supply, Inc., and can be obtained in a wide variety of fragrances. When the gel is molten in the kettle, the desired amount of fragrance is introduced into and disbursed throughout the gel, as by stirring. The oils used in to provide the desired fragrance are referred to as Pure Fragrance Oils, and can be obtained in over 200 scents. These oils are also used for aromatherapy and are specially formulated for use in candles, and can also be used in potpourri, room sprays, incense, etc. The recommended amount by Bitter Creek is to use is up to 5% (approx. ¾ ounce per pound of CMP gel). It has been found that ½ ounce of the oil base fragrance to each pound of gel gives very satisfactory results. If a wick is used, it is recommended by Bitter Creek Candle Supply, Inc, that Zink cored Gelwicks or Coreless Cotton German container wicks be used, which can be obtained from them.

[0013] The gel, as purchased, is a clear oil based gel; however as well as adding fragrance as above described, color can be added to obtain the desired color characteristics. The desired color gel can be prepared by using a liquid candle dye obtainable from Bitter Creek Candle Supply, Inc., and is used in the amount suggested by them. For example, if a blue/sky color is desired, liquid dye Item #dlblue is recommender at 0.05% to 0.01% concentration, and such dye is also introduced into the gel when in its molten state in the kettle, along with the introduction of the fragrance as explained above.

[0014] Once the gel is molten and the desired color and fragrance obtained, the gel 14 is poured into the aluminum foil cups 12. and allowed to cool. The assembled product can be used as assembled, as, for example, placed in the cup holder of an automobile to provide aromatheric scent in the latter, or the solidified gel 14 can be easily removed from the flexible cup 12 and placed in a potpourri burner, or into a tea-light burner, as a source of aromatheraputical fragrance, or a wick can be provided to the gel and the latter then ignited. The structure of the cup 12 , with its corrugated sides and annularly grooved bottom, provides the desired flexibility so that the cup can be deformed to allow the gel to be removed in one piece if desired.

[0015] While only a single embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is understood that many changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of this invention as defined by the following claims 

What is claimed is: 1) A gel candle in a flexible container comprising in combination, a) a flexible cup shaped container made from aluminum foil and having a truncated conical form, with the top of the container being larger than its bottom and with its top being open and its bottom being closed and having a bottom wall, b) the portion of said container between its top and bottom comprising a side wall, and said side wall being corrugated for flexibility, c) a gel candle contained within and filling said flexible cup, said gel having been made from a clear oil based candle gel melted at a temperature of between 180 and 200 degrees and having had fragrance oil and liquid dye incorporated therein and then poured into said cup and solidified, and d) said cup being flexible so as to be deformable whereby said gel candle can be removed from said cup without damaging said gel. 2) A gel candle according to claim 1 wherein said side wall of said container at the top end of said container is formed with an overturned corrugated annular lip. 3) A gel candle according to claim 2 wherein said side wall has an annular corrugated shoulder immediately below said annular lip. 4) A gel candle according to claim 3 wherein said bottom wall has an annular concave groove therein defining an annular shoulder between said groove and said side wall. 